For the first time in four years, more Americans think the economy is the most important problem facing our country – not the Iraq war. A Gallup poll released in February showed 34 percent of Americans think the economy is the No. 1 issue.
The number has nearly doubled since a January poll showed only 18 percent of Americans rated the economy as their top concern. Many factors contributed to this shift. Rising gas prices, unemployment and the federal budget deficit are concerns expressed by 49 percent of Americans. With many controversial ideas about the Iraq War and the economy in general, University students expressed their own opinions. “We need to focus on what we need and not what another country needs,” said Ariele Cook, religious studies freshman. Cook said she disagrees with the war and believes the government needs to focus on domestic problems such as the current debt. Cassondra Collins, general studies senior, voiced a different opinion on the economy. “Our money is being spent and we don’t know where it’s going,” Collins said. “There is a lack of communication in the government.” Most students in economics classes agreed the economy is the top problem in the nation. “In economy class, all he talks about is how we are on the brink of a recession,” said Erin Lozes, business freshman. “It’s all we are going to hear about.” Jarrod Kelley, marketing freshman, said the Iraq War is receiving less media coverage. “The economy is the most important issue,” Kelley said. “It’s being drilled in our head every day.” Other students argue the Iraq War is a more important issue. The same Gallup poll showed 24 percent of Americans think the Iraq War should remain the nation’s foremost concern. “The U.S. has its share of problems, but the war in Iraq is a bigger problem,” said Edward Sellers, biological engineering senior. Sellers thinks the war is more important because leaving the country would affect Americans’ safety and the progress made in the past four years. Ben LeBlanc, biology sophomore, said the Iraq War is more important because America needs to defeat terrorism. “There will always be problems in the economy,” LeBlanc said.
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